A Quick Guide To Moving To New Zealand

Moving to another country is no easy task. You have to make sure that everything is ironed out so you can avoid problems from popping out on the last minute. In case you’re moving to New Zealand, here’s a quick guide to help you make the transition much easier.

Visa

Before you travel, see to it that you apply for the kind of visa that matches your situation, credentials, and qualifications. There are many organisations that can help you out. You can visit www. Immigration.govt.nz to obtain information about securing a New Zealand visa.

Settling in

Adjusting to your new surroundings can be quite a challenge. Fortunately, the organisation Settlement Support New Zealand offers assistance to those who have just arrived in the country. No matter where in New Zealand you might be, you can surely rely on their help.

Schools and Childcare

Schooling is compulsory for children aged 6 to 16. However, most kids start school soon after they turn five.

Each school year has four terms. It begins in late January after a six-week school holiday and ends in December. The New Zealand government supports the cost of public schooling, but parents are expected to contribute towards text books and school materials. There are also private schools in New Zealand, but if you want to minimise your expenses, you can enrol your children at the nearest public school.

Pets

To determine the type of pets you can bring to New Zealand, you can visit www.biosecurity.govt.nz/enter/personal/pets. Dogs and cats from the United Kingdom and Ireland do not require quarantine. However, they are required to undergo pre-import tests/treatments and will be inspected for ticks upon arrival.

Health

The website of the Ministry of Health will tell everything you need to know about health services in New Zealand and how you can get access to them. Meanwhile, New Zealand has reciprocal health agreements (RHA) with several countries. This basically means that if your home country has an RHA with New Zealand, you will be able to receive publicly funded services as a citizen of the country.

Accommodation

Home ownership is popular in New Zealand, which is why you should be prepared for stiff competition if you’re planning to rent a house. Most rental properties are unfurnished and you will have to provide heaters since central heating is uncommon. In case you’re planning to buy a house, the average home price is at $350,000. Prices of homes are higher in larger cities like Auckland.